Rassie is ‘on button with his plans’
Ex-captain gushes over changes and exciting gameplan
FORMER Springbok captain and legend Jean de Villiers believes that Springbok rugby is heading in the right direction.
Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch before a special guest appearance at a Hudson Park High School event this week, De Villiers pointed to the superb start to new coach, Rassie Erasmus’s reign, following the series victory over England, with one Test to spare.
The 109-Test veteran, who admitted to being happy to be back in the city, was high in his praise of the current Springbok setup.
“East London is special for me in my rugby career, as I played my first ever Test match at inside centre here against Uruguay and we scored a couple of points that day and I scored two tries, so it is a cool place,” said De Villiers.
“But I think we are all excited about Springbok rugby at the moment.
“The fact that we have won two out of two against England, the Wales game [Test played and lost in the US] has sort of been disregarded, even though I don't think it was a waste, as it was an opportunity to provide Test match experience for a lot of those youngsters.
“On performances, I think we will only judge from the last two Tests and certainly from that point of view, they [Boks] have done well, they have played an exciting brand of rugby and I think the passion is certainly back there from the supporters.
“I am just happy to see the team doing well, there has been a lot of emotions and, hopefully, they can end it off well in the last match.”
De Villiers said the massive impact on transformation that has been seen over the last few games had been important, with Siya Kolisi becoming the first black Springbok captain and Beast Mtawarira having the honour of being the first black player to achieve 100 caps for the Boks.
“It is a huge milestone for South Africa and I think to see the bigger picture is hugely important for everyone,” said De Villiers.
“Ninety-five [1995] is a prime example of what sport is able to do, and I think with the current crop they have the ability to make a massive change in the broader scheme of sport in South Africa.”
Looking ahead to today’s final Test against England at Newlands, De Villiers still believes the Springboks have a good chance of emerging victorious, despite changes brought to the team and expected cold and wet weather conditions.
“We do still have a chance of getting the clean sweep, it is looking like it will be very different conditions and the changes that are being made are probably not conducive to the weather and kind of game they would want to play on Saturday [today],” said De Villiers.
“But then again, Rassie’s plan and strategy are all geared towards the World Cup next year, so exposing guys to a different gameplan, to probably a wetter, slower and more tactical game, is good and, hopefully, they can learn from it, make mistakes and still win the game, which would be the perfect situation to be in.
“Make no mistake England is under pressure as well, they have sent a few guys home and it will be tough for them, they are obviously going to throw everything at it, so will we, so it should be a good one.”
De Villiers has managed to maintain interest in the game, thanks to his role as SuperSport analyst.
He says he is enjoying his current role and admits he is not thinking too far ahead – in terms of getting into a coaching role, at all.
“It is a nice way for me to stay involved, there is far less pressure than being a player or coach and I am enjoying the analytical side of it,” said De Villiers.
“I made a conscious decision when I retired to step away from the game in terms of playing and I have not thought about getting into the coaching side.
“Never say never but at the moment I am really happy where I am,” he added.